Historical Events in May 1949

May 2 Arthur Miller wins Pulitzer Prize for "Death of a Salesman"

May 2 Bolivian state of siege proclaimed
May 2 Don Newcombe, 1st start, shuts out Cincinnati on 5 hits to win 3-0
May 3 1st firing of a US Viking rocket; reached 80 km
May 4 Plane carrying the entire Torino Serie A soccer squad crashes on the outskirts of Turin, Italy; 31 killed; Torino awarded League title at the request of their rivals
May 5 KGO TV channel 7 in San Francisco, California (ABC) begins broadcasting
May 5 Statute of Council of Europe drawn up
May 5 Detroit Tigers second baseman Charlie Gehringer is elected in the Baseball Hall of Fame
May 7 75th Kentucky Derby: Steve Brooks aboard Ponder wins in 2:04.2
May 8 West German constitution approved
May 9 Britain's 1st launderette opens in Queensway, London

May 9 Prince Rainier III becomes monarch of Monaco

May 12 1st foreign woman ambassador received in USA (Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India)

May 14 US President Harry Truman signs bill establishing a rocket test range at Cape Canaveral

May 17 British government recognises Republic of Ireland (previously Irish Free State)
May 18 Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America incorporates
May 23 Federal Republic of [West] Germany created out of the American, British and French occupation zones
May 25 Chinese Red army occupies Shanghai

May 27 Indians start 12-17, owner Bill Veeck arranges a "Second Opening Day"

May 27 Martin Canine, cartoon character, spoofs Martin Kane
May 28 French Championships Men's Tennis: Frank Parker retains title; beats fellow American Budge Patty 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
May 28 French Championships Women's Tennis: Margaret Osborne duPont wins her second French singles crown; beats Nelly Adamson Landry of France 7-5, 6-2
May 29 Candid Camera, TV comedy show, moves to NBC
May 29 1st British Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs): "The Best Years of Our Lives" Best Film
May 29 2nd British Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs): "Hamlet" Best Film
May 30 East German constitution approved
May 30 NPS/VHP win 1st general election in Suriname
May 30 WRTV TV channel 6 in Indianapolis, IN (ABC) begins broadcasting
May 30 Indianapolis 500: After finishing runner-up the previous 2 years, Bill Holland finally wins giving car owner Lou Moore his 3rd consecutive Indy victory; 1947-48 winner Mauri Rose fired after the race for ignoring team orders
May 31 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Hermitage CC: Sam Snead beats fellow American Johnny Palmer, 3 & 2; first time reigning Masters champion wins PGA Championship in the same calendar year.
May 31 Charley Lupica begins stay on 4 foot square platform atop a 60' pole, vowing to stay until Indians clinch pennant. (They don't, & stays 117 days)